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Barba's return to reignite Bulldogs' attack

Ben Barba is expected to make an immediate impact when returning to for the Bulldogs against the Rabbitohs.

Getty Images: Matt Roberts

Ben Barba's return to the NRL in the Good Friday blockbuster against South Sydney could be just the thing to breathe life into Canterbury's indifferent start to the season.

Much has been made of Barba's mental fitness ahead of the clash with the Rabbitohs after he was suspended by the club on the eve of the season to deal with a series of personal issues.

A brief stint in a rehabilitation clinic was followed by a return to the training paddock, with those charged with helping Barba get back on track claiming a return to normal routine would aid his recovery.

Now that he is back in the No.1 jersey that lit up the NRL in 2012, Bulldogs fans will be hoping Barba can aid the recovery of last year's grand finalists - who have started the season with two losses from their opening three games.

The unavailability of several key forwards hasn't helped, but Barba's ability to put points on the board can't be denied.

In 2012 the Bulldogs scored 98 tries during the regular season at an average of 4.1 per game.

Barba, with 21 tries and 22 try assists, accounted for 43 of them, or 44 per cent of all Bulldogs tries.

This year with Barba missing the opening three rounds, the 'Dogs have nine tries, their average dropping to just three a game.

Barba's replacement at the back, Drury Low, has failed to score or assist a try, has no line-breaks and just one line-break assist.